Conduct your privacy check-up and secure the digital you with Bitdefender during Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October is here, and this can only mean one thing. No, we’re not talking about pumpkins and creepy crawlies on the internet, although we will in just a little while.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month has just begun, and in our familiar Bitdefender-style, we’re once again playing our role in spreading awareness and promoting good cyber hygiene to keep you and your loved ones safer and more private online.

Throughout the month, we’re going to dive into the world of security, social engineering schemes, and privacy issues to better secure our digital world and online personas.

We’re kicking off #CybersecurityAwarenessMonth by encouraging you to conduct a privacy checkup and learn how your data is used and what you can do to mitigate potential risks.

The internet is an essential part of the modern world, and although using this technological advancement has tremendous rewards, it’s also a treacherous place for any privacy-conscious individuals and their data.

So many people feel helpless regarding privacy and the amount of information being collected about them online. They falsely believe that there is nothing they can do to improve it or secure their digital lives.

Don’t worry, we’ve got some easy steps you can take to enhance your privacy:

1. Review the privacy settings for the platforms and services you use

When was the last time you went through the privacy tabs and reviewed your settings for platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Google? You may be sharing far more than you’ve bargained for and putting your privacy at risk in ways you might not realize.

Make a list of all your favorite platforms and social media websites to maximize your privacy settings wherever possible. This is something you can control. You can see the information you’re making public, and as a result, become more aware of your level of privacy. For maximum efficiency, you should conduct regular reviews, as settings could change or new features may be added. It may also be a good idea to scrub private data from your accounts. Your phone number, home address and other identifiable data should not be made public online.

How Bitdefender can help: Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection helps you manage your data and privacy settings on popular social media sites, so you don’t get caught in the intricate settings of each platform.

2. Check for any unused accounts. Make a list of platforms or accounts you no longer use and delete them (or at least make them private if you’re unsure)

Online accounts contain personal data and can turn into a liability if left unmanaged. Finding all the accounts you created can take time. You can track these accounts by checking your email and using Google services (search using your name, email address and phone number online).

How Bitdefender can help: Digital Identity Protection helps you find dormant accounts linked to up to five email addresses in just minutes. The services provide a comprehensive mapping of your digital footprint and can help you identify accounts and delete them or take other appropriate actions.

3. Check if you’re using unique and complex passwords for your online accounts

We’re constantly emphasizing the importance of generating strong and unique passwords for all of your online accounts as the first line of defense against unauthorized access to data. On your journey to becoming a more privacy-oriented netizen, we advise you to stick to this rule and ensure that others do it too.

How Bitdefender can help: Bitdefender Password Manager makes managing passwords and enhancing online privacy easy. It frees you from the hassle of creating and memorizing tens of unique and complex passwords and stores them conveniently and securely within easy reach.

4. Check what pieces of personal information have been exposed in a data breach or are floating freely on the web

Sticking to good cyber habits (such as the one mentioned above) doesn’t mean that information (often found in our online accounts) can’t be exposed online. Digital citizens are living through a data breach pandemic that threatens their privacy, data and money. While we often read about security incidents and leaks in the media, many users have a hard time properly reacting to these events and understanding the risks.

How Bitdefender can help: With real-time data breach monitoring and alerts Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection allows you to immediately secure and protect your online presence by necessary measures whenever your personal data is at risk. Our service also provides you with a risk-level score to help you understand how data breaches directly impact your privacy, while simultaneously giving your recommendations to prevent fraudsters from using the exposed data to commit identity theft crimes.

A sustainable level of privacy takes time, commitment and practice, so don’t feel discouraged if you’ve missed a couple of steps.

We’re here to assist you with more tips and tricks, family-friendly cybersecurity guides and more throughout Cybersecurity Awareness Month and beyond.